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Gold And Diamond Pinky Rings

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14 Karat Rose Gold, Retro Period, Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A beautiful 1950s asymmetric diamond and ruby cocktail ring set in 14 karat rose gold. This piece
Category

Mid-20th Century American Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

An 18 Carat Gold Cartier Paris Ring with turquoise and diamond
By Cartier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold eternity pinky ring with oval cabochon cut turquoises set in large mille griffe
Category

Vintage 1960s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Ruby and Diamond Navette Ring, 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in NEWARK, GB
An impeccable antique, late Victorian era Ruby and Diamond navette ring. This stunner features a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond Set Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 18k, French. This diamond-set Art deco ring is the epitome of effortless chic. The
Category

Vintage 1920s French Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Ruby and Diamond Halo Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming ruby and diamond cluster ring. This piece has been crafted from a warm 18ct
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Ruby and Diamond Cross-over Ring
By Marshall
Located in New York, NY
. Ultra chic. Can be worn as a pinky Ring or on the Ring finger. Very impressive
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Peacock 14K Gold Diamond Band Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A 14k gold diamond band ring signed by Peacock. 
The band is made of polished yellow gold and
Category

Vintage 1980s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Victorian Ruby and Diamond Snake Ring
Located in London, GB
when Queen Victoria opted for a gold snake design set with rubies, diamonds, and an emerald for her
Category

Antique 19th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970s Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
yellow gold and set with twelve round brilliant cut diamonds (F-G color, VS1 clarity). The diamonds are
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Solitaire Ring 18k Gold Diamond Band
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A vintage solitaire ring made of 18k gold, features diamond. This great gold band of minimal design
Category

1990s Unknown Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Faye Kim Milky Diamond Gold Pear Shape Ring
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
, this is the perfect ring to wear every day. Ideal for pinky or ring finger. 18k green* gold, matte
Category

2010s American Contemporary Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Vintage Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
Here we have a fabulous ruby and diamond cluster ring. This vintage piece showcases a single oval
Category

20th Century Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

Georgian Diamond and Emerald Cluster Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
A cushion cut emerald sits at center of this 18kt gold ring. The emerald is surrounded by cushion
Category

English Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond

French Antique Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
shimmering rose cut diamonds. The ring's band is a harmonious fusion of yellow gold and silver, providing a
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Cartier 2.23-carat GIA Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Ascetic yet elegant unisex ring. Makes a statement. Great as a pinky ring. Features a gorgeous
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Diamond Gold Platinum Dinner Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Deco diamond gold and platinum dinner ring circa 1920. The petite scale dinner ring design
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Dos Pesos Gold Coin Diamond Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Mens Gold 2.00 Mexican Peso Coin Pinky Ring, 14K Yellow Gold. Size 9 Vintage men's 2.00 gold
Category

Late 20th Century American Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ruby and Diamond Navette Style Leaf Ring
Located in London, GB
This is a vintage 18ct yellow gold ruby and diamond navette ring. The centre of the ring is
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Gold Buckle Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. Wear it on your pinky, index or any other finger. Have fun with it. This awesome retro gold ring
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Bvlgari Diamond Ring 18K Rose Gold 0.04cttw Size 4.75
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari Bvlgari 18k rose gold ring with one diamond. Width: 4.00mm. Ring size 4.75. Looks great as
Category

2010s Italian Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond and Ruby Solitaire Ring
Located in London, GB
This is an antique 18ct rose gold, rose cut diamond and ruby ring. The rose cut diamond sits in a
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Rose Gold

FLORA RING, Black Onyx, Citrine, Diamonds 14k Gold
By Jen Proudman Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
FLORA Pinky Ring Black Onyx, Citrine, Diamonds, 14k Gold Carved black onyx flower (15mm diameter
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold

1970s Modernist Geometric Three Dimensional Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Miami Beach, FL
. The 14k yellow gold ring features a row of raised triangles that are diagonal. At the tip of each
Category

Vintage 1970s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Van Cleef Arpels Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
approximately 2.50 carats). The diamonds are set in white gold which accentuates their whiteness. The ring is
Category

Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Bombe Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
18kt segmented ring set with graduated old mine Diamonds segmented by a wavy line. High set and
Category

Vintage 1940s American Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1.00 Carat Natural Diamond Gent s 18k Gold Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1.00 Carat Center Diamond Men’s Swirl Pinky Ring 18k Gold. Very impressive ring design
Category

Vintage 1980s Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 1.18 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
of the world for centuries. Creating the perfect pinky ring for power and success. Featuring a 1.18
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1980s Van Cleef Arpels Black Onyx Diamond Gold Ring
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
onyx and round brilliant cut diamonds. The ring is size 3.25 which makes it also a chic pinky ring
Category

Vintage 1980s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Onyx, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Ruby, Diamond and Pearl Double Row Ring, 15ct Yellow Gold
Located in NEWARK, GB
. The ring is fully hallmarked for 15ct gold, Birmingham 1873 Diamonds have a great clarity and colour
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Vintage Opal Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Yellow Gold Gemstone Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. Stamped 18K and PLT for 18 karat gold and platinum, respectively. Circa late 20th century. Ring Size: 3 1
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, P...

Hinged Oval Cabochon Ruby and Opposing Oval Pave Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Chic and useful Ring which can be put on by opening center hinge. Stylish graduated ribbed setting
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Buckle Ring Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Wide Band Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage diamond buckle ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 14 karat yellow gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Synthetic Ruby and Diamond 3-Stone Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Victorian Yellow Gold three stone ring with synthetic ruby center and old cut diamonds on either
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Vintage Brutalist 1 Carat TW Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Nugget Ring
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A glamorous, vintage 14 karat gold nugget diamond cluster ring, with brutalist thematics and old
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier NY 3.14 cts Old European Cut Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
clarity) is bezel set in 18k yellow gold. The ring is size 5.5 - 5.75 and can be sized if needed
Category

Vintage 1970s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. 0.50 Carat Pave Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Gold Knot Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band ring is designed as a looped knot that encircles a platinum pavé diamond ball Round brilliant
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Three Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Filigree Cocktail Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
charm and glamour. The ring features three dazzling Old European cut diamonds arranged in a linear
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

1930 s Art Deco Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Dinner Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Dinner ring centers three octagonal forms set with old European cut diamonds. With additional
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Intense Yellow Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Le Vian
Located in New York, NY
Hot Pinky Ring or any other Ring finger for that matter. Center grid of bright white Radiant
Category

1990s Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1.60 Carat Burmese Ruby and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
: Platinum & 18ct Gold Box: The Vintage Jeweller Ring Box
Category

Antique Early 1900s Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Antique 9ct Yellow Gold Stamped, Victorian Oval Ruby Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Ruby & Diamond Ring 9ct Gold Stamped Circa 1880 This stunning ring boasts a beautiful
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Prisms in a Transitional Diamond Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Our goal is to offer diamond rings that shine because they are out of the ordinary, not because the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Oscar Heyman 18 Karat Yellow Gold 2 Carat Oval Cut Diamond Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
ring is crafted by expert fine jewelers at Oscar Heyman. Crafted in luxurious 18K yellow gold, perfect
Category

20th Century American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Round Brilliant Baguette Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Two Row Band Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This contemporary 18 Karat Yellow Gold Two-Row Diamond Band Ring features a striking combination of
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Diamond Buckle Ring 14k Yellow Gold Sz 5.5 Estate Fine Jewelry Belt
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage buckle ring (circa 1980s) crafted in 14 karat yellow & white gold. Forty diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

c1993 Cartier Ellipse 0.25ct Diamond Band Sz 3 Ring 18k Gold Signed Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Vintage Cartier diamond 'Ellipse' ring crafted in 18k yellow gold. Single round brilliant cut
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Delicate Lady Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
Those who treasure petite diamond rings and bands of tiny diamonds will breathe a sigh at the
Category

20th Century American Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Fire Opal Ring Rose Cut Diamond Cluster 14k Yellow Gold Halo
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian era fire opal & diamond ring (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in
Category

Late 20th Century American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Carrera y Carrera Goddess Ring Sz 4 18k Yellow Gold Biwa Pearl Diamond Band
Located in Torrance, CA
Beautifully detailed vintage Carrera y Carrera 'Goddess' ring crafted in 18k yellow gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ox Blood Coral Diamond Ring 14 Karat Gold Small Cocktail Estate Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage ox blood coral & diamond cocktail ring, crafted in 14 karat yellow gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural 1.70 Carat Round Cut Diamond in Bezel Set 14K Gold Fluted Shank Ring
By Gad Co.
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning 14K yellow gold solitaire mens pinky ring boasts a glittering 1.70-carat diamond
Category

2010s North American Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby Diamond Double Flower Ring Moi et Toi 14 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage ruby & diamond double flower ring crafted in 14k white gold. Two
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

3 Carat Round Cut Natural Diamond Solitaire Mens Ring in 14K Gold Two Tone
By Gad Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Solitaire men's ring, crafted in 14k gold. Weighing 9.4 grams, and ring size 7 1/4, ideal as a
Category

2010s North American Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Leopard Cat Ring Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby Eyes Enamel Emerald Diamond
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage leopard ring (circa 1960s to 1970s) crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. One
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1990 s Cartier Trinity Pave Diamond 18 Karat Tri-Color Gold Band Ring Sz 48
By Cartier
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cartier three row diamond band crafted in 18 karat yellow, white, and rose gold. The ring, circa
Category

1990s French Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

0.75 Carat Emerald Cut Citrine Garnet and Baguette Diamond Cocktail Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
garnet and diamond ring. This ring has been carefully crafted of 14 Karat yellow gold and features a
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Citrine, 14k Gold

Green Tourmaline Diamonds Color D-G Ring 18kt Yellow Gold Lab Report by ALGT
Located in München, DE
Yellow Gold, once of a kind. The ring has been graduated in Antwerp by the Antwerp Laboratory for
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold

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Gold And Diamond Pinky Rings For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an expansive variety of gold and diamond pinky rings available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of gold, 14k gold and 18k gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our selection of items includes 3 vintage examples as well as 7 contemporary versions. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 20th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. There are many different pieces in our collection of gold and diamond pinky rings to choose from, but contemporary and modern gold and diamond pinky rings are of considerable interest. Alexia Gryllaki, Atelier All Day and Charles de Temple each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. Any of these pieces can lend versatility to your look, but diamond versions, from our inventory of 9, are particularly popular. There are many baguette cut, cabochon and antique cushion cut gold and diamond pinky rings for sale. When shopping our range of gold and diamond pinky rings, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men today than there are for women.

How Much are Gold And Diamond Pinky Rings?

Prices for gold and diamond pinky rings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $316 and can go as high as $10,733, while gold and diamond pinky rings, on average, fetch $1,713.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Rings for You

Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.

No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.

Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.

Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry

The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.

Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.